Columbia SC vs New York NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
New York
35.9%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 49.9% | 35.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 22.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Columbia +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
New York
41.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 7.7% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 41.0% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $816,078 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 32.8% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
New York
16.9%
New York +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.9% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 46.6 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 44.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 7.6%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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